Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants

From contagious disease & behavioral problems to diet and skin care the herb describes over 275 common childhood complaints, illness and heath related issues, both to treat and to avoid problems. Not only in india but also in many other countries of the world, plants have played significant and prominent role as medicine. The discovery of useful medicines such as reserpine, berberine, quinine, curare etc. Or intermediates such as the steroidal sapogenins has added impetus to the ongoing investigations of natural products. The second half of the twentieth century has witnessed resurgence in the study of natural products with emphasis on biogenesis, plant physiology, structural configuration and synthesis of many of the well known compounds. Based in this rationale, the present volume has been compiled and present updated information on potential medicinal properties, action and uses of plants in order to contribute material for the discovery of new drugs of natural origin, the volume present 23 research and review papers from eminent scientists in india and abroad. Some interesting reports included in this publication are: perspectives in bioflavonoid; classification of herbal anti-diabetics based on mechanism of action and chemical constituents; american ginseng and asian ginseng in reducing blood glucose level and body weight; hypoglycemic and chronic wound healing activity of cecropia peltata on streptozotocin induced diabetic rates; cardio-protection by bael (aegle marmelos); hypericin in photodynamic applications; rheumatoid arthritis and herbal drugs: photochemistry and pharmacology of tanacentum ( composite); chinese medicinal plants in arthritis; medicinal plants in arthritis; pharmacological effect of piper xanthostachyum on rodents. The contributions are from far and wide including brazil, china, france, india, italy, japan, mexico, nigeria, russia, singapore, spain, taiwan, trinidad, turkey and usa. Contents of the book :